John 3:1-2  Nicodemus_

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him. John‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Nicodemus is a person like any of us who is balancing competing values in the heart. John 2 flows into chapter 3 continuing to address the reprioritization of values. His name means to conquer, or victorious, among the people. He’s a leader, with influence. It’s one thing for a poor fisherman to leave his nets and follow Jesus, but another when a man has position, influence, and wealth.

I have heard others critical of Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. Secrecy. Timidity. Some commentators are critical for his lack of public acknowledgement of Christ – as though he should get out of his seat and come down to the front for the preacher’s altar call. Yet he was a seeker with much at stake should he be interpreting his spirit incorrectly. He was not yet convinced that this is the Messiah, but this man was truly someone noteworthy. The Baptist responded clearly when asked if he was the Messiah, “he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” Then comes Jesus, with signs, and heart-penetrating teaching. So with integrity, Nicodemus pursues him with the suspicion many had—that this could be the one. I cast any judgment toward him, and I don’t believe Christ did either.

Pursuing God comes with a cost no matter who we are. Every man has a light he was born with, that compels him to know the true light, if he is willing to see. Nicodemus was in pursuit.

Where is the tipping point of faith? In every person it is different. We need different conversations, different “proof.” For some it takes convincing and compelling. Others can see the miraculous signs and in their hearts know what it means. Every man has his unique threshold. Jesus’ mission was simple: establish a beachhead of faith on earth wherein people could know that he is the lamb that takes away the sins of the world, then offer the sacrifice of himself to make it so. In almost every way Jesus defied the expectation that the people had of their Messiah. He was a stone of stumbling, Isaiah said. He did not come in glory and power, conquering the infidels of the world. He came in meekness and humility, from an unpretentious birth and upbringing. From despised Nazareth. Only those with spirit eyes could see and believe. And even among these, just barely. So who am I to criticize Nicodemus?

I deeply admire him. And in many ways, he represents all seekers. We get the answer we need the way that we need it. But there are a couple of things worth noting. The first is that Nicodemus pursued the answer – and got it. The second is that Jesus was unequivocal about the qualifications to obtain the kingdom—every person, regardless of position, must travel the same route—which he begins to explain in the next verse…